Bob, hiker Maria and I drove down to Mount Shasta City to start our hike to Castle Lake. The weather was in the lower 70s as we started the climb up the Castle Lake trail. We could see out and see Castle Lake.

As we climbed up through the rocky trail we could see views of Mount Shasta with a lenticular cloud. We could also see Black Butte and Little Castle Lake. After one mile, we made a turn on to the Castle View Trail. We hiked up and had a great view of the Castle Crags. Then the trail descends downward to the PCT. We were now 1.65 miles into the hike. From the PCT, we turn left and hike for about a quarter of a mile to an area where PCT hikers could set up a camp.

From the campsite, we started making our way up a very faint trail. Eventually we get up higher and start our traverse through rocks and manzanita. In places the trail is obvious and in others, you have to work your way through. I am glad I had the track from doing this hike previously because if you try to guess your way there, you could end up getting cliffed out or down too low that giant boulders are in the way. It is only .65 of a mile, but it takes a long time to get to the arch. The best approach is to go a bit beyond the arch then make your way back up.

Once we were at the arch, we took in the views and had a long lunch. Maria told us she had done a shuttle hike from Castle Lake up and over and continued on the PCT all the way into the Castle Crags Park, but had not gone across to the arch. This was also Bob's first time to go to the arch. I always enjoy showing hikers somewhere new. We watched the lenticular clouds building and changing shape over Mount Shasta. At one point, Bob got under the arch and made sure it was steady and held it up.

We started heading back across and had to take it slow because there were areas that were easier coming up than down.

After making our way back towards the campground area, we connected back on the PCT. We took a short break before heading back up the Castle View Trail. Once we made our way back to the Castle Lake trail, we turned left and headed up to Heart Lake. Maria and I hiked around the lake while Bob enjoyed some time on a rock. We made our way around and looked down at Castle Lake with Black Butte and Mount Shasta in the background. It was a beautiful sight.

We then headed back to the car and had hiked 5.38 miles with 1,955 feet of gain.